This is an edited extract from two essays by James Kelman relating to Turkey and Kurdistan, contained in his collection, And the Judges Said… and other essays [Polygon Books 2008] and is being reprinted here with the writer’s permission. The first “Freedom for Freedom of Expression Rally”, organised by a 200-strong group of artists and activists took place in Istanbul […]

On Friday 20 September, 2013, the pamphlet Freedom of Expression in the New Scotland, written by Jean Rafferty and Alan Bissett was launched – a joint venture by Scottish PEN and the Saltire Society. In this article, Jean Rafferty describes the process of collaboration and highlights issues raised during the debate at the Saltire Society, […]

Blog post from Linda Cracknell about PENning magazine from 22 Sept 2013.

Unstated: Writers on Scottish Independence It may be a coincidence that just as the post-ironic Creative Scotland crumbles a book is published that expresses the views of 27 writers on the cultural implications of Scottish independence but I can’t help seeing a connection. Over half the writers are members of PEN (and the rest would […]

Book Festival Transwonderland by Mario Relich The fiftieth anniversary of the famous Writers’ Conference during the 1962 Edinburgh International Festival was celebrated with various events at this year’s Book Festival. I chose, however, to go only to a number of events which particularly interested me. Online podcasts of the 50th anniversary events are in any […]

Two War Correspondents Remember Bosnia Discussion at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, 17th August 2012 – Janine di Giovanni and Ed Vulliamy, – twenty years on from the beginning of the war in Bosnia. by Morelle Smith The War is Dead, Long Live the War; Bosnia, the Reckoning – Ed Vulliamy   Ghosts by Daylight; […]